Project Empty Hands*

Messaging with Incarcerated Men

 

            Notes by Robin Crawford, who is getting to know incarcerated men at Shelton Prison:

            I was introduced to Doug by the One Parish/One Prisoner (OPOP) project of Underground Ministries. Our plan was to support Doug in his transition to life outside the prison, which our program expected to be within 1 year, just time to get acquainted before his release.

            Within four months, we found that he still had 4 or 5 years to serve. While it was called a “mistake,” I believe it was providence.

            The OPOP team decided to accompany him until his release date. He and I began to use the Washington State required system of messaging called “Securus,” a lot like email, but less reliable. We hit it off. Soon, Doug asked me if I could add a relationship. His friend inside, Antoine, had heard about the connection and wanted to participate. Sure, I agreed.

            Then another, and another and one more. By now I was far outside the portfolio of OPOP. I was meeting men who had years left on their sentence, men who had been abandoned by family and friends, men who had not had a visitor in years, did not have a person on their visitor list.

            These men are appreciative, thoughtful, supportive; eager to be part of a relationship of trust, honesty and mutual support. They pray for me, offer support when I share a problem, are friends. Imprisonment has long outlasted any defensible sentence. They are isolated, without contact to the world beyond the bars.

            I found I cannot say “No” to a request for someone who longs for connection, but before Doug could send me another referral, I asked him to stop. I could not engage another person and still do justice to those I already know. Please, I asked, wait until I find some volunteers.

            I am looking for individuals ready to commit to an ongoing relationship, exchanging messages on a regular basis, who are willing to support and be supported, pray for and be prayed for, give and receive patience, concern and hope.

            The Empty Hands volunteers will receive an orientation, with support for messaging, in-person visitation, and phone calls, and opportunities to talk with others who are also corresponding with men at the Shelton facility.

            If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please get in touch with Robin Crawford, 415 515 6052.

 

*We meet one another with empty hands. We cannot fix one another’s problems, nor can we cannot change one another, except as friendship changes us all. We meet as equals, offering friendship, patience, and acceptance without judgement.